If the Rockets need another big man, forward/center Jordan Hill said they can look to him.

Hill returned to practice on Thursday after recovering from a sprained ankle. Nearly a year since he was acquired in a trade-deadline move, he said he is ready to give the Rockets what they have needed.

"I just want to go out there and show it, prove it, and try to keep working like I'm doing now," Hill said. "It's not up to me. The Rockets are going to do what they feel is right."

Hill had missed three games with the ankle sprain and was available for Tuesday's game but did not play. He has not been able to assume the starting center spot despite the season-ending injury to Yao Ming in November, and had been moved behind rookie Patrick Patterson in the rotation before his injury Feb. 1 in Los Angeles.

Hill, however, said he has improved in his year with the Rockets enough to bring more than he has shown.

"I feel I progressed a lot," Hill said. "It reminds me of college days, when I first came in, trying to get the role at Arizona down, got my first year under my wing. I'm progressing every year. I'm doing the same thing while in the NBA now."

More consistency

Hill's play at practice, his first this month, was encouraging, Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. The key for Hill, Adelman added, is to play as he did on Thursday more reliably.

"He looked really good today," Adelman said. "He tweaked the ankle a little bit. He was very active, very alive today. I was pleasantly surprised because before the game the other night, he didn't feel that good. Having two practices under his belt (including today's) and seeing him run around like he did (Wednesday), I think he looks like he is really recovering nicely. If he is as active as he was today, he'll help us."

"(Against) Dallas, he could be a real addition to us because of the size they have with (Tyson) Chandler and (Brendan) Haywood. "

Adelman is not sure how his frontcourt rotation will unfold. When Hill last played, Brad Miller was out. When both were healthy in early January, Hill was most effective when playing with Miller.

"I'll just take it game by game, see what is the best fit," Adelman said.

A year ago, Hill heard speculation that he could be traded. He had begun getting sporadic playing time, as he has in recent weeks this season, but was still a coveted prospect after being taken No. 8 in the 2009 NBA Draft.

"I was thinking about it a little bit, not much," Hill said. "I definitely heard about it. I was kind of shocked. Being traded as a rookie, it caught me by surprise. Things happen. You just have to stay ready."

Handle like a veteran

While Hill is likely to be a part of many talks, but there is a long way to go from turning talks into trades by the Feb. 24 deadline.

"With all the stuff that is stirring around, your attention has to be on what is going on on the floor and what's going on in the game," Adelman said. "I think he's going to do that. Our biggest thing with Jordan is consistency; that he becomes a factor every time he steps on the floor."

Hill pledged that he could do that, and is better prepared to do that than when he arrived last year. He also might be better equipped to handle the uncertainty.

"Teams are going to do whatever they feel (they need) to do to help their team win," Hill said. "I try not to focus on that. I try to focus on my game now and the season now and the games coming up. It's not my place to talk about it. I just have to do what I have to do."